Jim Deeley

Jim Deeley, age 72 years of Altona MB, passed away on Wednesday March 25, 2026 at his residence.

He is survived by his sister Annie Deeley, and numerous cousins in other parts of Canada. He was predeceased by his parents Wilfred and Helen Deeley.

Jim spent his early life at home with his family near Portage la Prairie. He enjoyed simple things: playing with his blocks, watching hockey and Western shows with his dad, and writing the alphabet. (No schooling was available to him at that time.) He also enjoyed being read to, by his mum or sister. Jim was a survivor of many years in MDC. He was a resilient person, maintaining his kind and quirky personality. In 1986 he moved to 212 residence in Altona. He will be missed by many staff and residents in the Blue Sky system.

Endless gratitude is owed to the people of Blue Sky and ADAMH for the love and care they gave Jim over nearly 40 years.

A Celebration of Life / Come and Go will be held on Saturday April 11, 2026 from 2:00 - 4:00 pm. at Wiebe Funeral Home Altona. 

Ash Interment will take place at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to www.blueskyopportunitiesinc.com/donate
or send a cheque to
Blue Sky opportunities Inc.
122-10th Ave. NW
P.O. 330 Altona MB

Memories Of Jim

Jim Deeley – Celebration of Life Memories from Rhonda Epp

I first got to know Jim in 1995 when I started as the night shift staff at the 212 Residence. At that time, he lived with 4 other housemates, but he was the lucky one to have his own bedroom. A few nights a week, he would let me know that he was awake, and we’d have a middle-of-the-night conversation, me trying to figure out what he needed, but by morning, he was ready for his all-important cup of coffee…or three. Jim could down his cup so quickly, I’d have to second-guess whether I had poured him one in the first place. In his leisure time, though it looked like he wasn’t paying attention, you could always see him perk up when the news was on or if staff would help him find the history channel. This interest helped shape some of his vacation plans with trips to car shows, antique shows, and the Threshermen’s museum. It is safe to say he had very “manly” interests and was quick to let you know if he wasn’t interested in something.

The bulk of my time working with Jim was at the day program, where I had the privilege of getting to know him better, this time during waking hours. Jim had great hand-eye coordination, which meant he was able to do a lot of the finer work. Before my time, he had helped build in the woodshop with hammer and nails, but later on in the workroom, he focused on assembling the washers and screws for the clothing dryers, removing tape from negatives for recycling, tearing jean strips for rug weaving, and, on occasion, he was willing to sand wood products. He also helped collate drink tabs for wheelchairs into manageable-sized containers. In 2010, a long-time employee with whom he connected very well retired, and Jim began to express in a variety of ways that he, too, was done with work. He transitioned to semi-retirement, spending part of his week at the John Unger Senior Centre program. There he liked to play air hockey games, do puzzles, socialize and take the ever-important naps in-between retro TV programming. On March 28, 2013, after 26.5 years, Jim retired fully from working at the day program and, after a short time going to seniors’ programming, indicated that he wanted a full-time home lifestyle of retirement. That said, each time I stopped by the 212 Residence, Jim was quick to greet me with a handshake.

Jim was the last of the “original five” and had the difficult task of saying goodbye to each one of his original housemates. In his own way, he showed care and kindness to his friends, and he will be dearly missed by those who knew him.

My Memories of Jim – Ashley Wall – Residential Manager

I first met Jim in 2020, when the world was shut down due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. At the time, he was the only man living in a house full of women, including most of his staff. However, Jim never seemed to mind. He was kind and cared deeply about the people around him – especially Linda. They would sit and watch TV together and Jim would hold her hand to comfort her when she was sad.

Jim was very determined when he wanted something. On numerous occasions, he would go to the door and put on his hat and coat, ready to get out of the house. There were even times when he wheeled himself right out the open door and down the sidewalk, determined to get himself a sweet treat and coffee at Sweet Caroline’s! Staff were running to get his wallet and catch up with him!

Another memory that I have is when we took him to the Leaf in Winnipeg. It was the middle of winter, so Jim loved the warmth of the building. We took him up to see the butterfly garden, and Jim was fascinated by them. He’d chosen to wear a bright orange shirt, and they kept landing on him. They were on his arms, his shoulders, his head. When we were there, he was the only one who had a butterfly land on him. It was a very special moment.

Jim enjoyed going to car shows and races, he had a collection of model cars. He enjoyed sporting events, like Jets games and Goldeye games – he enjoyed watching them on TV but he enjoyed them more in person. He liked going out to eat, especially at Chicken Chef, and he loved going out for coffee whenever he could. Jim liked going out for walks when the weather was nice, taking in the feeling of the sun on his face. He liked going out and about in community, but Jim also appreciated the quiet moments at home with his housemates.

Jim was an incredibly important part of the 212 Residence, the house will not be the same without him. The staff and his housemates cared deeply for him, and he cared about them in return. It was a privilege to be able to care for Jim for the years that I did. He brought so much joy and light to the residence and touched everyone’s lives. I will miss all of the little ways that he brought the house to life – his voice, his smile, his calm and steady presence. His memory will live on in all of the residents and staff whose lives he touched, and he will be missed greatly.

Jim Deeley – Celebration of Life Memories from Sarah Hildebrand

As Annie mentioned, Jim transitioned into the 212 Residence on September 1st, 1986 from MDC. Jim was one of the OGs when 212 opened along with Linda, Peter, Clarence and Dianne. In the 40 years with the agency, he lived at the residence with the exception of 2009 to 2012 where he shared a home with others at 204. His return to 212 was welcoming for both Jim and Linda as they had a deep connection and remained friends until her passing. Linda was not only a long-time friend and companion, her adoration of Jim’s moustache kept them connected in a way that only Tom Selleck fans would understand.

I met Jim in October of 1993, as myself and staff supported Jim in his home. Jim had a way of making women feel special as he would reach for their hand and smell their wrists for their perfume. If you did not know Jim, you weren’t sure if the sweet talk was going to lead to a kiss on the hand. It didn’t, but who said chivalry is dead. Jim loved cars and car rides, going to the beach, and staying at cabins for holidays. Jim found happiness in simple things and could teach us about living in the moment. He was a music lover with a keen sense of hearing, enjoyed his daily routines, and although quiet, enjoyed the companionship of his roommates. They enjoyed communication that was unlike the communication we experience. It wasn’t words, it was sounds and gestures and knowing your roommates thoughts and needs by simply just being. He would spend time in the sunroom sitting the swing, listening to music and enjoyed the outdoors. Maybe you didn’t know this about Jim, but he was a writer. Some of the magical words he wrote included:

• Buckingham (Written on a spoiled ballet after we advocated for the vote), Players (I am assuming another brand of choice), Export A (Did you know Jim smoked, I know there were a few times we enjoyed a smoke with him), Labatt’s Blue and Budweiser (No we did not drink with him), Chevrolet, Buick, Ford, Weed and Police (you could see where they might go hand in hand).

Everyone loves something, and Jim loved coffee. Not just a little, a lot of coffee. Right up there was Coke especially if he could have it at the Chicken Chef. Jim was a learned man, and kept tabs on local and world events by reading the local and Free Press newspaper. He would wait patiently for his daily Free Press newspaper to be delivered as his roommate was also eager to learn of news events. Should she beat him to it you knew.

Jim’s condition was not a disability, it was a physical limitation that he overcame with the use of crutches and then eventually a wheelchair. This did not stop Jim form going where wanted to go and doing what he wanted to do.

Family was important to Jim and he thoroughly enjoyed his visits from his sister Annie. Chicken Chef was always the first choice for lunch! Annie stayed connected and offered Jim the support of family which included time spent with her in the city.

Jim enjoyed trips to Winnipeg, and out of town excursions. He enjoyed trips to Kenora and Las Vegas. There were things he talked about in Vegas, and things that just stayed in Vegas. He enjoyed Vegas and everything that it had to offer!

Jim was a kind, gentle man, and accepted those for who they presented themselves to be. He was not judgmental and if he was, he never let on. He accepted anyone who gave him the time and attention and relished that human connection, until he didn’t and then he let you know. We would have hoped for more time for Jim, more adventures and more opportunities. That did not happen and his passing will have a profound impact on those around them especially his roommates, staff and agency. Jim was with us for 40 years; we had the honor of supporting him for 40 years and we hope we left him with some beautiful memories before he left us.